Backstage Library Works

06/23/2026

Having collections camera-ready from the start results in a smoother, quicker digitization process. This involves removing clips, taking most materials out of their enclosures, and making sure that each item is able to go straight to capture without a technician needing to pause and make adjustments.

Not to worry if the processing described in this video sounds like it would be too much for your team to handle before your next digitization project; we can help!

Having collections camera-ready from the start results in a smoothe...

06/15/2026

We're a week and change away from ALA Annual in Chicago! We've got a big team coming out to attend workshops, meetings, and say hello to our partner libraries, past, present, and future.

Got a favorite spot in Chicago to catch lunch? Let us know!
Need recommendations? We've got a few to share, too. 😎

06/09/2026

We prioritize customization, but flexibility must first assume a starting point.

Backstage developed its own Record Element Set, based off of existing international guidelines and our experiences with hundreds of different library partners, to cover the most common needs for bibliographic cataloging. With everyone aligned, customization can begin.

Learn more in today's blog, link in the comments.

05/26/2026

Large-scale collection management projects are those which massively alter the organization or arrangement of materials, and they tend to be complicated to manage on top of staff’s usual responsibilities. Vendors like Backstage can assist by sending teams on-site to complete the work without disrupting day-to-day operations. How do these projects impact the library, and why are they important to consider?

05/19/2026

Our thanks to Andria, head of the library and archive of The Cleveland Orchestra, for meeting with us this month and showing us around! With a number of musicians on staff, it's always a delight to visit face to face and learn more about the incredible work you do.

05/06/2026

Scenes from the past captured on a recent visit to the Lansdale Historical Society! The Society aims to preserve and share the history of the North Penn area and Lansdale Borough through exhibits, events, and access to its research library and newspaper archives. Thanks for having us!

04/30/2026

Not all projects can travel. Did you know we can come to you?

We offer an on-site workflow for nearly every service department at Backstage and in this blog, we’ll explore a couple of examples, like our surrogate capture workflow for a special metadata project at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation and the multiple digitization projects performed on-site with The New York Historical. Read all about it with the link in the comments!

04/27/2026

Thursday through Saturday, catch us at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC) in Richmond, Virginia! What's on your mind? Digitizing your collection, microfilming? Getting an extra hand on archival processing? Stop by and talk about it.

04/23/2026

Our team had the opportunity to visit the Washington County Free Library in Maryland this week to give a talk about our microfilming process! Decades of the local Globe newspaper were disbound and carefully scanned to microfilm as a means of preserving the serials, which were one-of-a-kind but at risk due to their brittle deterioration. Thanks for having us, Hagerstown!

This project was made possible in part with funding from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Thank you Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area!

04/08/2026

Next week, find us at IUG! This will be a great time to say hello to our team and catch up on what's new!